Sustainable Events: How procuring Eco-Friendly Spaces helps Sustainability and compliance

Why Sustainability Matters in Venue Selection

As the urgency of climate change grows—our CSR becomes clearer than ever. Corporate clients today demand more than impressive spaces; they seek venues that align with their values and commitment to sustainability.

Our clients are seeking venues that not only impress, but also tread lightly on the planet. From waste reduction to eco-friendly construction, our curated venue selections embody modern green excellence.

What Makes a Venue Truly Sustainable?

A sustainable venue isn’t just defined by one feature—it’s about holistic eco-credentials across multiple dimensions:

• Energy Efficiency: From HVAC systems to LED lighting and smart controls.

• Water Stewardship: Low-flow fixtures, rainwater harvesting, and wastewater recycling.

• Local & Ethical Catering: Seasonal, organic, fair-trade ingredients to minimise food miles and waste.

• Waste Management: Robust recycling, composting initiatives, and zero landfill policies.

• Sustainable Transport & Access: Public transit options, EV charging, or shuttle services.

• Building Sustainability Certifications: Recognised accreditations like Green Globe, LEED, BREEAM, Green Tourism Awards, and IACC Green Star.

• Community & Social Responsibility: Staff training, supplier ethics, biodiversity initiatives, and local economic impact.

These are the same benchmarks used by industry-leading sustainability schemes around the world.

Our Top Picks: Sustainable Venues Around the Globe

Here are some standout venues—globally celebrated for their environmental credentials and ideal for eco-savvy event planners:

London, UK — The Crystal

A trailblazer in sustainable architecture, The Crystal holds dual certifications: LEED Platinum and BREEAM Outstanding. This fully electric venue features solar panels, a ground-source heat pump, rainwater harvesting (even supplying drinking water), wastewater recycling, and smart building controls that reduce CO₂ emissions by roughly 70%.

London, UK — 15 Hatfields

Awarded a Green Tourism Gold and an NQA Sustainable Development certification, this versatile central London venue excels in multiple sustainability dimensions: organic, local, fair-trade food; zero-waste to landfill; no single-use plastics; recycled furniture; and advanced AV systems that support streaming and slash paper usage.

Riga, Latvia — AC Hotel Riga by Marriott

An efficient, LEED Gold–certified venue, offering energy-smart infrastructure, water-saving fixtures, transport accessibility, and vehicle emissions considerations, making it a strong choice for sustainable events in the Baltics.

Copenhagen, Denmark — The Bella Center

Running on a comprehensive "360° sustainability approach," Bella Center uses smart energy monitoring with the help of Schneider Electric, local and rainforest-friendly catering (even eco-chocolate), food takeaway treat boxes to reduce waste, and even a rooftop beehive that produces honey on site.

Los Angeles, USA — Los Angeles Convention Center

A LEED Gold space with a massive rooftop garden growing ingredients for 90% locally sourced food, EV charging hubs, ~11% energy savings from solar, and sustainable cleaning products and consumables making up over 80% of supplies.

California, USA — H2 Hotel

Built on reclaimed land, this venue demonstrates deep-earth sustainability—from green roofs and stormwater mitigation to salvaged timber, biodiversity preservation, low-flow water elements, and deep energy savings (around 28%). Plus, on-site biking options, sustainably sourced fixtures, and socially responsible purchases make it a model of conscientious design.

Due Diligence as an organiser

There are a growing number of schemes that certify venues sustainability, including: Green Globe, IACC global, BREAAM and Green Key - and for the UK specifically; Green Tourism awards, Venues should conform to eco, green and sustainable standards in areas like; energy consumption, waste reduction, and water usage. You can also find information on specific initiatives, such as carbon footprint assessments, through organizations like A Greener Future.

Why Partner with Meetings Matter?

Sourcing the perfect venue means more than booking space—it means aligning your event with your broader values and brand story. Here’s what we offer:

1. Deep Sustainability Intelligence — We can procure venues not just for their aesthetics but for a full suite of green credentials: energy, water, waste, transport, and social impact.

2. Tailored Matchmaking — Whether your organisation prioritise certifications like LEED or have must-have eco-practices (like vegan cuisine or carbon-neutral logistics), we curate venues that tick those boxes.

3. Storytelling Power — Green venues help enhance your client’s brand narrative. We provide the facts and figures—and highlight them with pride.

4. Regional Expertise — From the heart of London to the Swiss Alps and beyond, we guide clients to venues that lead in sustainability across every continent.

Closing Thoughts: The Path Forward for Sustainable Events

Creating a more sustainable event isn’t about picking one green checkbox—it’s about thoughtful decisions across every touchpoint: venue construction, catering, travel, waste, and engagement. The venues featured here are global benchmarks, and they illustrate that beautiful, functional spaces don’t have to cost the Earth.

At Meetings Matter we’re passionate about helping you host events that leave a positive impression on guests—and on our planet.

To find out more about which sustainable venues could meet your needs, contact us today to start planning your next event—where sustainability and success go hand in hand.